The 30-year-old left-hander notched a patient 109 to help Pakistan reach 259-1 at close on the second day, adding an invaluable unbroken 141 for the second wickets with Azhar Ali (60 not out) at Abu Dhabi stadium.

That typical five-day format knock guided Pakistan to a 62-run lead over Sri Lanka's first-innings total of 197. Umar had provided Pakistan a solid start of 118 with fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez who made an attractive 75.

Despite scoring his second hundred on a comeback trail, his first against the West Indies in May this year, Umar said a comeback was always harder than the start.

"When you do a comeback, you have more pressure on you than your debut," said Umar, who hit eight boundaries during his 296-ball knock.